Murder Hearts Book 1: Hunt Me by EM Lindsey & Cora Rose

 

Murder Hearts Book 1

Doing Deaf drag isn’t supposed to come with threats to my life, damn it. I’ve had a stalker before, and apparently—even after involving my friend from the FBI—he’s decided to come back and make my life hell.

But this time, however, a slightly terrifying stranger shows up to play hero.

He knocked my stalker on his ass and left me with blood smears on my jaw and a kiss on my lips so devastating, it threatened to rearrange my whole life. And then he disappeared into the shadows.

But just when I think I’ll never see him again, I find him haunting my steps everywhere I turn.

It’s not long before I realize hunting me might be his love language, and god help me, I think I’m into it. Especially when each time he catches me, he leaves me breathless and wanting more.

My stalker is still around, but being with Archie is worth whatever the unwelcome blast from my past wants to throw at me.

After all, having a boyfriend with a thing for knives, coffins, and funeral flowers is a great way to protect myself, and if his obsession and love for me isn’t enough to take my stalker down, my determination to get my happily ever after will.

Hunt Me is the first book in the morally grey rom-com series Murder Hearts. It’s a spicy, MM stalker-to-lover romance with forced proximity, coffins as a special interest, an Autistic MC, a Deaf Drag Queen who doesn’t have time for anyone’s BS, stalking as a love language, a set of lovable murder brothers, an unhinged cat café, and a steamy, swoony, happily ever after.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252495943-hunt-me

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Denver isn’t a stranger to having a stalker. But that doesn’t mean he is happy that it is happening all over again. The feeling of someone following him is getting worse. And when he finally attacks…well lucky for Denver there is someone there to stop him. And while his new stalker escapes, Denver is stuck on the man who saved him. The man with gentle hands who then disappeared. Though not for long. Denver finds his hero and it may be the best thing that has ever happened to him. While Archie may appear scary, Denver only ever feels safe with him. Archie is protective and just as obsessed with Denver as Denver is with him. And Archie won’t rest until Denver’s stalker is caught. I loved these two! We got a peek at them before in another series and I’m so happy to see we are getting more books in this world. Archie and his two brothers are a mystery and a bit scary to those who don’t know them. They’ve got their secrets and pasts, but Denver knows that these men will protect him and anyone they care about by any means necessary. I really enjoyed getting to know Denver and Archie and watch them fall hard for one another. They were both super interesting characters who I absolutely adored! And we’ve met some new characters and I’m so excited for future books in this series. This was a great one to start it off!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Inheritance Games Book 7: The Gilded Blade by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

 

Inheritance Games Book 7

ALL GAMES MUST COME TO AN END.In the stunning finale to the global phenomenon of the Inheritance Games Saga (over 6 million copies sold!), discover danger, riches, romance--and the staggering answers to long-brewing mysteries.

All games must come to an end. In this series-shattering conclusion, everyone is a player, long-held secrets are unveiled, precious threads are unraveled, and impossible mysteries are solved. In the grandest of games, there is so much to win--money, love, power, revenge--but there is also everything to lose.

The truth will be revealed in #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Lynn Barnes' most masterful puzzle yet.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239399508-the-gilded-blade

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

An amazing end to this series! It’s been a long journey but we have finally reached the end. And while part of me is sad to say goodbye to all these characters, I’m also happy to finally have answers! So the story picks up where the last book left off and if you aren’t caught up, well, beware the spoilers. Just no avoiding it at this point when it comes to what happened previously. Everyone is on the hunt for Avery who has gone missing. And though everyone is on their own mission for answers, everything comes back to the same place. While they may have different paths for answers, they’ll all have to come together to fit everything they learned together. It’s another book filled with puzzles and riddles and mysteries years old. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions too! And a satisfying ending after everything that has happened. Just a great series all around. Truly a favorite of mine and one that sucks you in each book as you try to figure out what happens. Plenty of twists and turns in this story as well! Though you wouldn’t expect anything else from this series. Again, a great end! You don’t want to miss this!

The Martian by Andy Weir

 

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. 

Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. 

Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first. 

But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills — and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit — he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18007564-the-martian

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Very late to the party reading this and even late to watching the movie. But after watching Project Hail Mary then reading the book, naturally I had to watch The Martian which led to of course reading the book. Great movies and great books! I really loved reading this story. Mark is part of Ares 3, a team sent to Mars. But under some pretty unfortunate circumstances, he is left behind when the crew thinks he is dead after getting swept away by a dust storm and having to evacuate without much time to look for him. But surprise! He survives. And now he has to figure out not only how to survive living on Mars but how he can get back home, if that is even possible. He knows a mission is coming up in a few years. He just has to make it that long and to their site. Mark was absolutely hysterical. I loved his sense of humor throughout the story. He has to come up with a million different things to survive and keep going, but at least he never loses that part of himself. The story is mostly told through his logs, but we also get some points of views from those on Earth once they figure out he is alive and even the Ares 3 crew. It will take the whole world working on the problem to bring him back along with some major luck and creative thinking. A fun story all around! 

Redemption Road Book 2: Hollywood by DJ Jamison

 

Redemption Road Book 2

Everyone calls me Hollywood because I look like a leading man, but I didn't expect the starring role of single father....

When my ex-girlfriend, Carrie, is injured in an accident, I take sole custody of my two-year-old daughter overnight. I've wanted to be Ruby's father for a long time, but my ex--and her family--haven't forgiven me for going to prison.

This is my chance to get to know Ruby and prove that I've changed. I leap at the chance, even though I've got no idea what I'm doing.

Thankfully, my former best friend Tex shows up and sticks by me. He's a natural with kids and instantly calms the panic setting in. One night of support turns into another and another. Bit by bit, Tex is moving into my life and making himself a second father to Ruby.

But he's bailed on me before. Three months ago, he ran from the feelings growing between us. He couldn't handle the idea of being bisexual.

Now he's here, plucking all of my heartstrings and making me love him all over again. Ruby is head over heels, too. He's everything I want in a partner. For me. For my daughter.

But will Tex return the love this time--or will he break both our hearts?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/253755589-hollywood

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s Hollywood and Tex’s turn! And I’ve been looking forward to their story after we saw the tension between the two of them in the last book. When Tex left Hollywood three months ago, he was hurting in all kinds of ways. He lost his closest friend and someone he thought he could even be more than friends with. But Tex pushed him away and ran. But when Hollywood gets a call that his ex was in a bad car accident and he needs to take care of their daughter, he is shocked to find Tex is back. And he’s back for him. Being part of his daughter’s life is all Hollywood ever wanted and he is going to do everything he can to prove to his ex that he has changed and he can be there for Ruby. But he’ll need some help and he knows it. So he pushes his anger at Tex away. Because Hollywood isn’t the only one who has something to prove. Tex knows he messed up when he left. But he won’t make that mistake again. He wants to be there for Hollywood and for Ruby. He’ll show them that he isn’t going anywhere. Even when his dad makes it hard to shake the guilt of his past. I loved these two! So happy to see them get their happy ending. It was clear from the beginning just how much these two cared for one another and how they’ve been hurting since they’ve been apart. While the circumstances they are in aren’t great, it gives them another chance. A chance to reignite their friendship and take it to the level they both crave. Just another great story all around! And oh man, the hint at the next book looks really good. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

North Point Penalty Gods Book 1: Vicious Butterfly by S. Legend

 

North Point Penalty Gods Book 1

Only a Monster can Protect You From Other Monsters.

Ryan

Tate VanCourt decided I belonged to him, and nothing will stop him from making me his. He thinks he’s giving me the deal of a lifetime—anything and everything I want, in exchange for my freedom.

On the surface, Tate’s your friendly neighborhood hockey coach, the demon hiding in plain sight. He has the world eating out of the palm of his hand.

I know what he is, though. He’s darkness. A beautiful kind of dangerous. King of the hockey underworld.
But I already live in my father’s gilded cage, and I want out.

No matter what I do, I can’t seem to escape Tate. And his cage might be the only one that’s safe.


Vicious Butterfly is the first book in a NEW dark MM college hockey series. A spin-off from its prequel, Off-Ice Misconduct, which does not have to be read to enjoy this one!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244392657-vicious-butterfly

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Ryan has spent years being tortured by his father. It’s left him scarred mentally more than anything. But he’ll suffer through it if it means protecting his brother. But even he isn’t enough sometimes to keep his brother safe. Now, he returns to North Point but his brother is being forced to go as well for school. RYan doesn’t know what to do anymore. He doesn’t know how to protect himself let alone his brother from the monster that is their father. Because how do you fight a monster? Turns out, you need another one. The moment Tate spots Ryan, his obsession tendencies kick in. Tate has his own sources of trauma from his uncle and he has done what he can to blend into society despite his psychopathic traits. He too has his own brother to protect. And he has a promise to fulfill. He needs to marry someone. Good thing he has his target picked. Their connection is animalistic and raw and real. Tate may not know what he is feeling, but he knows he will protect Ryan at all costs. Ryan knows that falling for someone who may not have the ability to love him back is a bad idea, but tell that to his heart. What a rollercoaster with these two! These two have been through so much. You want to rage on their behalves for all they have dealt with. And when it comes down to it, these two were pretty much made for one another. If you are a fan of S. Legend’s dark mm hockey books, you definitely do not want to miss this one! I cannot wait to for book two!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful Chaos by Riley Hart & Devon McCormack

 

SILAS

My home is my sanctuary. Or is it my prison? Some days it's hard to tell.

I've confined myself behind these walls for protection. I have my reasons, but that doesn't change the profound loneliness I've discovered in the process.

Then one day I find myself drifting toward the window to see him. Corey Marshall, my new neighbor. Quiet, reserved, and cute as can be. He infects my thoughts, becomes the image I fantasize about.

I want to taste his lips, smell his scent...feel what it's like to be inside him.

And soon, watching becomes exchanging gifts and messages, which becomes so much more.

It's wrong to want this as badly as I do, but I can't help myself. I crave him so desperately. It's hard to tell if what we're doing is going to make me lose my mind or change my entire world, but it's too late to turn back now...

COREY

I've never been quite right. Too high or too low. Pain is my constant companion...at the hands of my abusive ex, and often from myself. The sweet relief is only temporary, but in those moments, it's like I can finally breathe.

Then I meet him. Silas Rizner calms the chaotic storms inside me. He makes me feel loved, treasured, even when I don't deserve it. I cherish the moments we share--cooking, cuddling, and when Silas reads to me until I fall asleep. When he's inside me, it's the only time in my life I've ever felt complete.

Silas becomes the glue that holds me together, that bandages my scars. Inside the walls of his home, we're almost safe, but our demons are always there, waiting to break free.

We're a mess. We're broken, chaotic, beautiful; we're in love.

But not even love can slay our monsters. No, only we can do that.

Unless our monsters destroy us first.

TRIGGERS: Self-harm, depression, anxiety, mentions of past domestic violence.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42323422-beautiful-chaos?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=71GXfxtvmn&rank=1

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My Review: 3.5/5 Stars

Silas and Corey have faced some horrible monsters. They’re survivors. But sometimes surviving is hard and healing, even harder. For Silas, he is the survivor of a serial killer. His trauma has led him unable to leave his home. The fear crippling him at every stage and trusting people? Not happening. He has one person he can rely on and sometimes even that is hard. He has learned to build a wall around himself. Then he meets Corey, his new next door neighbor. Corey is the survivor of abuse. His ex hurt him so badly, he was in the hospital for quite a while. Even years later, he still struggles. Though for him he has the added bonus of dealing with some other intense mental health issues. So making friends? Impossible. Until Silas. It starts with an exchange of gifts then of words between their windows. And eventually to talking. They build this new thing between them bit by bit. In some ways healing themselves, but truthfully, they both have a long way to go. Doesn’t mean they can’t fall in love. What a story! Very intense, these two have been through a lot. I love that they found one another when they believed they never would find someone who gets them and can care about them. And even when they did, they knew they still had a long way to go to heal for themselves and not just one another. Just a beautiful story of healing and love and hope. 

The Open Era by Edward Schmit

 

Love evens the score between two tennis players in this stunning debut romance.

Recently-turned-pro tennis player Austin Hardy has been out since high school and it's never been a big deal. That is, until he becomes the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam. Suddenly, being gay is a huge deal, with headlines to prove it.

Unprepared for this new spotlight, Austin’s anxiety disorder hits a breaking point, and he trips and falls at practice. Right next to the very attractive, very talented, and probably straight Diego Cruz, ranked World #2.

The two players start a friendship off the court. But between their flirty banter, mixed signals, and brewing rivalry, Austin is thrown further off his game by Diego.

With the eyes of the world on Austin, the weight of history on his shoulders, and Diego across the net — he must decide if love means nothing or if love means everything as he battles for the trophy during an electric two weeks at the US Open.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240118875-the-open-era

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Austin is new to the pro tennis player life. And on top of that, he becomes the first openly gay man to compete in a Grand Slam. All eyes are on him. And the pressure is more than he can truly handle. Especially when he suffers from anxiety. He tested at every turn at a time he needs to remain focused. So naturally it’s time to meet a guy. Or more like fall in front of one and him come to Austin’s rescue. And oh, did I mention he’s ranked number 2 in the world and will have to play Austin if they both make it far enough? Talk about complicated! Watching these two become friends and possibly more during a time where their focus must be on their sport, is quite something! I really enjoyed getting to know Austin as he fought tooth and nail for his dreams but also getting the help he needs to manage his anxiety. It’s not an easy journey, but you’ll root for Austin the whole way through. A great story overall!